Esplanade owners will pay $6,500 to residents who moved into the facility during 2014 and 2015, $3,250 to residents who moved in during 2013, and $1,250 to residents who moved in before 2013

The owners of the Esplanade in White Plains will pay $528,000 to 139 senior citizens who were kicked out of their homes for a conversion into non-senior housing.

"By failing to inform potential residents of their plan to vacate and repurpose the building, the Esplanade owners caused many seniors to suffer undue and unnecessary stress, hardship and expense," Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced Wednesday. "This agreement will help the residents cover some of the expenses they incurred in having to make an unanticipated move from a facility where they expected to live out their remaining years."

Schneiderman's office launched an investigation into the Esplanade at 10 Lyon Place and 95 S. Broadway after The Journal News/lohud.com reported that the management continued to renew one-year leases with an automatic 5 percent rent increase and accept new tenants as late as November. This occurred even though the plan to vacate and renovate the building was in the works since 2014; some residents moved in just weeks before the November 2015 notification was sent.

The Esplanade's management denied any wrongdoing in the settlement and the company noted that no fine or penalty was demanded by state officials.

"There is no allegation that we acted in any way in contradiction to law or violated any right of any senior. No resident was 'forced out,'" Esplanade spokesman Geoff Thompson said in a statement, noting that two seniors still live in the complex. "As a result of discussions with the AG, we voluntarily agreed to make payments to the seniors to assist them in their relocation."

The Esplanade in White Plains was a senior citizen complex with housing ranging from independent living to dementia care.

Under the agreement obtained by the Attorney General’s office, the Esplanade owners will pay $6,500 to each of the 60 residents who moved into the facility during 2014 and 2015, $3,250 to each of the 27 residents who moved in during 2013, and $1,250 to each of the 52 residents who moved in prior to 2013. Payment will be made within 30 days.

Prior to the agreement, the Esplanade made moving payments of $14,382.50 to former residents.

Gus Feuerman moved into the Esplanade in 2014 and lived there a little over a year. He laughed on Wednesday when told that the Esplanade's owners were making amends to their former tenants.

"It's funny. They are miserable people. They kicked us out with very little notice," said Feuerman, who was originally given $500 by the Esplanade for his moving expenses.

Under the terms of the agreement, Feuerman, 92, is eligible to receive another $6,000.

"I could use it. Moving was a terrific expense. It's a long time coming and I would appreciate $6,000," said Feuerman, who now lives at the Five Star Premier Residences in Yonkers.

The Esplanade conversion led elected officials to propose a state law earlier this year that would have required landlords to obtain court approval before terminating the leases of the disabled or those over 65 living in rental housing marketed to those populations.

The bill never became law. Assemblyman David Buchwald, D-White Plains, was a sponsor and on Wednesday, his office said he was unsure if he would reintroduce the bill.

Yonkers Democratic Assemblywoman Shelley Mayer said in a statement on Wednesday that the bill needed to be passed.